Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'tocsin'

English Word: tocsin

Key Russian Translations:

• набат (/nɐˈbat/) - [Formal, Historical; Used in contexts involving alarms or warnings, often literary or archaic]

Frequency: Low (This word is not commonly used in everyday modern Russian conversation; it appears mostly in historical, literary, or poetic contexts.)

Difficulty: B2 (Intermediate; Requires understanding of Russian noun declensions and historical vocabulary, suitable for learners with a solid grasp of basic grammar.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

набат: /nɐˈbat/ (The stress is on the second syllable, with a soft 'a' sound as in "father".)

Note on набат: Pronunciation may vary slightly in regional dialects, but the standard is straightforward. The 'б' is pronounced as a voiced bilabial stop.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A signal bell or alarm, typically rung to warn of danger or emergency.

Translation(s) & Context:

• набат - Used in formal, historical, or literary contexts to denote an alarm bell, often evoking urgency or crisis in Russian culture.

Usage Examples:

• В городе зазвонил набат, предупреждая жителей о надвигающейся буре.

  In the city, the tocsin rang, warning the residents of the approaching storm.

• Во время войны набат звучал каждую ночь, собирая людей на защиту.

  During the war, the tocsin sounded every night, gathering people for defense.

• Старинный набат в церкви все еще используется для сигналов тревоги в небольших поселениях.

  The ancient tocsin in the church is still used for alarm signals in small settlements.

• Когда зазвонил набат, все бросились к воротам города.

  When the tocsin rang, everyone rushed to the city gates.

• Набат эхом разнесся по долине, сигнализируя о пожаре в соседней деревне.

  The tocsin echoed through the valley, signaling a fire in the neighboring village.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"Набат" is a masculine noun in Russian, following the standard second declension pattern for inanimate nouns. It has regular inflections based on case and number. Below is a declension table for clarity:

Note: The plural form is less common, as "набат" typically refers to a singular event or object, but it can be used in historical contexts for multiple alarms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • тревога (trevoga) - More general term for alarm, often used in modern contexts; implies a state of anxiety or warning.
  • сигнал тревоги (signal trevogi) - Directly translates to "alarm signal," less archaic than "набат."
• Antonyms:
  • тишина (tishina) - Silence, the opposite in terms of sound and urgency.

Related Phrases:

• Бить набат - To ring the alarm; Used in urgent situations to mobilize people. (This phrase evokes historical calls to action.)
• Звон набата - The sound of the tocsin; Often appears in literary descriptions of emergencies.
• Набат войны - War tocsin; Refers to alarms during wartime, carrying connotations of conflict and defense.

Usage Notes:

"Набат" is an archaic term in Russian, directly corresponding to "tocsin" in English as a historical alarm bell. It is rarely used in everyday conversation but is common in literature, poetry, and discussions of Russian history. When choosing between translations like "набат" and "тревога," opt for "набат" in formal or historical contexts to maintain the specific connotation of a bell-based signal. Be mindful of grammatical gender (masculine) and its declensions in sentences. For example, in prepositional phrases, use the correct case like "в набате" (in the tocsin).

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using "набата" (genitive) incorrectly in nominative contexts, e.g., saying "Набата звонит" instead of "Набат звонит."
  Correct: "Набат звонит" (The tocsin rings). Explanation: Learners often confuse cases; always check the sentence structure to ensure proper declension.
• Mistake: Confusing "набат" with "тревога" and using it in modern settings, e.g., for a fire alarm app.
  Correct: Use "сигнал тревоги" for contemporary alarms. Explanation: "Набат" has a historical flavor, so it may sound outdated or overly dramatic in daily use.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "набат" is deeply tied to historical events, such as the defense against invasions in medieval Russia. It symbolizes urgency and communal response, often featured in folk tales and national epics like those of Alexander Pushkin. Understanding this term helps English speakers appreciate the poetic and patriotic undertones in Russian literature, where it represents a call to arms or collective action during crises.

Related Concepts:

• тревога
• сигнал опасности
• пожарная сирена